Department of Finance and Operations Management

student library

Finance and Operations Management is one of three departments within the Collins College of Business. The Department's goal is to perfect students' technical skills specific to the discipline as well as honing their management propensities. The finance program is designed to educate students in all areas of business--accounting, economics, international business, management, marketing, and management information systems--because the finance profession involves interaction with all of these areas. Courses are offered in the areas of corporate finance, investments, portfolio management, financial institutions, and personal finance. A Student Investment Fund of more than $1,000,000 provides students with the opportunity to manage a portfolio of real money. More than 100 students major in finance.

An MS in Finance program, which was initiated in 2001, has attracted outstanding students and has had excellent placement. MSF students have the option of concentrating in Corporate Finance, Risk Management, or Investments and Portfolio Management. Three dual degree programs exist: MSF and MS in Applied Mathematics; MBA/MSF; and JD/MSF. A unique aspect of the MSF program is a corporate internship program in which interns work half-time for a major company year-around, are compensated for hours worked, and have fifty percent of their tuition paid.

Outside the classroom, finance students gain access to the access to corporate leaders throughout the United States through Friends of Finance, an organization that promotes the professional development of students and members of the professional world. The Friends of Finance Executive Luncheon Speaker Series has brought almost 200 nationally recognized corporate leaders to campus. More than 35,000 individuals have attended the luncheons. A few of the previous speakers include: Steve Malcolm, Chairman, President, and CEO, Williams; Lee Scott, President and CEO, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.; Kenneth Lewis, President, BankAmerica; James Parker, Vice-Chairman and CEO, Southwest Airlines; and Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO, Bank One.